Chapter 1: The First Recruit
The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden hue over the quiet coastal town of Shells Town. Waves lazily lapped against the wooden docks, the salt-laden breeze mingling with the distant chatter of fishermen preparing their boats for the day's catch. The town, though small, bustled with life. Merchants arranged their stalls, children ran along the cobbled streets, and the occasional marine patrol passed by with stern expressions.
But amidst the normalcy, whispers of a name lingered.
"Dikun Silver."
A name feared by some, respected by others. Stories spoke of a young man with silver hair and crimson eyes, a master of twin daggers and a mind sharper than any blade. He was not a pirate, nor a marine. A rogue strategist, they said, a man who could outwit entire fleets without ever lifting his weapons.
Yet few had ever seen him in action.
---
A Boy with a Dream
On the far end of the town, the peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by the carefree laughter of a peculiar young man. His black hair was barely contained under a straw hat, and a grin stretched across his face — wide and full of unshakable confidence.
Monkey D. Luffy.
The boy who would be king.
"Haha! Vice-captain! Yeah! I definitely need one!" Luffy exclaimed, his voice carrying over the bustling streets. His bare feet slapped against the cobblestones as he walked with purpose, hands on his hips as if declaring his intentions to the world.
"Someone strong! Someone cool!" he continued, completely unaware of the amused and confused glances thrown his way. "A real genius, like a battle mastermind!"
The villagers watched from a distance, whispering about the odd boy who had arrived the day before. They had already heard the rumors. He had openly declared his intent to become the Pirate King, a statement met with both laughter and disbelief.
And now, it seemed, he was searching for a vice-captain.
---
The Shadow in the Tavern
A short walk from the main square stood a dimly lit tavern, its wooden walls weathered and stained by years of sailors passing through. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of salt, rum, and smoke. Men slumped over half-empty tankards, sharing crude jokes and boasting of exaggerated adventures.
But at the farthest corner, away from the drunken chatter, sat a lone figure.
Dikun Silver.
His silver hair caught the faint light from the cracked lantern above him, but his crimson eyes remained shadowed beneath his bangs. Twin daggers rested at his sides, their hilts worn yet meticulously maintained. Unlike the rowdy patrons, Dikun moved with purpose — every sip of his drink, every glance at the room, calculated.
He had been here for days, observing. Word of a peculiar pirate had reached his ears, a boy with an impossible dream. Luffy. Dikun had no interest in meaningless ambition, but there was something about the boy's unwavering confidence that intrigued him.
Still, he had no intention of getting involved.
Or so he thought.
---
An Unlikely Invitation
The door to the tavern burst open with a sudden slam, the midday sun flooding the dim interior. Luffy stood at the entrance, grinning from ear to ear. Patrons turned to stare, some with annoyance, others with curiosity.
"Oi! I'm looking for Dikun Silver!" Luffy's voice rang out, loud and clear. "Join my crew!"
The room fell silent. Conversations ceased. Even the bartender froze mid-pour. A ripple of disbelief passed through the crowd.
Seated in the corner, Dikun's crimson eyes slowly rose to meet the grinning face of the straw hat-wearing boy.
"You're Dikun, right?" Luffy continued, completely undeterred by the tension. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"
Murmurs erupted. Some laughed. Others shook their heads. But Luffy remained unmoved.
Dikun didn't speak. His gaze, however, was sharp — analyzing. Most who approached him did so out of fear or desperation. This boy, however, had neither. Only determination.
"A pirate king, huh?" Dikun finally spoke, his voice calm yet piercing. "And what makes you think I'd follow someone like you?"
Luffy's grin widened. "Because I'm strong! And I'm gonna need the best people with me!"
Dikun leaned back, fingers tracing the hilt of one dagger. "Strength alone means nothing without resolve. Anyone can call themselves strong."
Luffy nodded. "Then let me prove it!"
The challenge hung in the air, and for the first time in a long while, Dikun felt a flicker of curiosity.
"Fine," he said, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Let's see what you're really made of."
---
And so, the first steps of Dikun Silver's journey alongside Monkey D. Luffy began.